VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

[Bruce]

According to this article some of us are killing our selves while being killed, or something like that. I’m tempted to say they’re doing it wrong.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/canadian-actors-alarm-stressful-video-game-voiceover-gigs-1235194845/

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Bob Bergen]

Well, they are doing it wrong. They have no choice. They are being directed to do it wrong. If the actor holds back, or places the sound in a way that is more comfortable, the mic can hear this. There's a holding back that reads on the mic. And they will be re-directed accordingly.

Just like an on-camera actor often sprains something or gets hurt doing everything from running to screen fighting, a voice actor being directed to "push it/more blood curdling/cough up glass/more violent," etc., if their performance is going to be authentic it's going to be physically challenging. Most voice directors are amazing in that they save the strenuous stuff for the end of the session. That doesn't mean the end of the session isn't damaging.

This is why I turn down 9 out of 10 game auditions. Just not worth it. The times I have been requested for what looks like a throaty game, I try to out price myself so they turn me down.

But no matter how much vocal training one has had, when you get, "LOUDER! MORE GUTTURAL! SCREAM LONGER!," you are more likely to cause some strain if not damage.

[ConnieTerwilliger]

The director I had for a game - where I played several aliens and fighters who die - put all the screaming in agony at the end of the session. We did 2 sessions to help split up the damage. But after that I have turned down all auditions that involve the character dying in battle.
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